Becoming Reality in the Future!

In front of the oden stall, billowing steam curled upward beneath the dim yellow lights.

Natsume Chikage was intently enjoying the food in his bowl.

He carefully picked up a piece of fried tofu soaked full of broth with his chopsticks. The golden tofu trembled slightly at their tips.

He gently blew on it, and the mist-like steam drifted away.

The moment he took a bite, the scalding broth trapped within the tofu's honeycomb texture burst across his tongue, its savory flavor instantly filling his mouth.

"Natsume, you've got some broth on your face..."

Fujiwara Aoi noticed a tiny drop of dark broth on his cheek and immediately pulled a packet of disposable tissues printed with little dogs from her pocket.

She carefully pulled one out and held it out to him.

"Thanks." Natsume Chikage took the tissue and wiped his face.

"Not there..." Fujiwara Aoi raised a finger and pointed to the corresponding spot on her own cheek. "Over here."

"Is it clean now?"

"You haven't gotten it yet."

"Here?"

"I'll do it..."

A faint blush appeared on Fujiwara Aoi's face, like the glow of sunset cast over her wheat-colored skin.

She gently wiped away the mark with the tissue. When her fingertips inadvertently brushed his skin, her heartbeat quickened slightly.

"It's gone now..." she explained softly, her voice so quiet it was nearly drowned out by the bustle of the street.

Once she finished, she quickly withdrew her hand, as though the tissue had suddenly become scorching hot. She hurriedly lowered her head and pretended nothing had happened as she continued eating from her bowl.

"Thanks." Natsume Chikage didn't think much of it. After thanking her, he continued savoring the steaming-hot food in his bowl.

However, the intimate scene had been witnessed in its entirety by Matsuo Yuka, the publishing editor at the neighboring table.

Her mouth fell open slightly in shock. A meatball she had just picked up dropped back into her bowl with a plop, splashing broth directly onto the expensive new work outfit she had bought not long ago.

Matsuo Yuka looked down at the oil stain rapidly spreading across her chest, then looked back at the pair of youthful high school students beside her. They had someone to wipe broth off their faces for them, while she could only eat oden alone—

A nameless fury flared up inside her!

Damn it!!!

She had worked overtime until late at night, and after finally getting free, all she wanted was to quietly enjoy some hot oden. Did she really have to get force-fed this lovey-dovey nonsense too?

Look at this young, sweet little couple acting all lovey-dovey over here?

She just wanted to peacefully enjoy a late-night snack after work. Who the hell had she offended?!

She quickly shoveled down the remaining food in her bowl, pulled out some loose change from her wallet, and slapped it onto the table.

"Check! Keep the change!"

With that, she angrily grabbed her bag, muttering complaints under her breath as she strode away without looking back.

The old man running the oden stall looked at the money on the table, then at her furious retreating figure, and shook his head helplessly. Keep the change? There wasn't any change to give!

The mobile oden stall had a completely open design, with virtually nothing blocking the view.

Its only cover was probably the simple retractable awning attached to the cart.

However, the night was cool and there was no rain, so naturally, the awning had been rolled up tight.

That was precisely why Kondo Miyuki's gaze could unobstructedly catch sight of Natsume Chikage and Fujiwara Aoi sitting in front of the stall at a glance.

Seeing how intimately they sat together, along with Aoi's earlier gesture of wiping his face, Kondo Miyuki fell silent once again for a long while.

Kondo Miyuki found Natsume Chikage more and more pleasing to the eye.

If possible, she truly hoped that Natsume Chikage and her daughter could share a good match.

Now, seeing him being so intimate with another girl, she couldn't help feeling as though a treasure she had carefully cherished was being taken away bit by bit. It left her heart slightly pained...

Before she knew it, she had walked over.

"Natsume?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Natsume Chikage turned around.

When he realized it was Kondo Miyuki, he was visibly taken aback.

"Aunt Miyuki, what are you doing here so late?"

A gentle smile appeared on Kondo Miyuki's face as she shook the shopping bag in her hand, printed with the logo of a boutique.

"I was just out shopping with some friends and happened to be heading back."

"But what about you? Why are you still out this late?"

Her gaze flicked toward Fujiwara Aoi, carrying a friendly hint of curiosity.

"And could this be... your girlfriend?"

Fujiwara Aoi's cheeks immediately flushed red like ripe apples when she heard the word "girlfriend."

But secretly, she felt hopeful. She did not deny it at once, only stealing a shy glance at Natsume Chikage as she waited for his response.

Natsume Chikage gave a slight shake of his head and explained calmly:

"She's my coworker at the café."

"We just got off work at the café. We got hungry while walking, so we stopped by here for something to eat."

"Since you're here too, Aunt Miyuki, are you hungry? If you are, I'll treat you to something."

Natsume Chikage had always been the sort of person who returned kindness with kindness.

Since Kondo Miyuki had treated him to a meal last time, it was only right that he return the favor.

After being denied, Fujiwara Aoi could not help feeling a little disappointed.

But she quickly pulled herself together, the corners of her lips lifting as she retained that lively, energetic expression.

It did not matter if she was not Natsume-kun's girlfriend yet. As long as it became reality in the future!

"Hello, I'm Natsume-kun's coworker at the café."

Fujiwara Aoi had met Kondo Miyuki before. Since they had never been formally introduced, she stood up and introduced herself with her usual energy.

The moment Kondo Miyuki heard that she was merely a coworker rather than a girlfriend, her face lit up with a smile.

"So that's how it is."

"Come to think of it, I did see this cute girl at the café last time."

Being called cute to her face made Fujiwara Aoi both happy and shy.

Kondo Miyuki turned to Natsume Chikage and smiled.

"But never mind the food. Auntie already ate outside just now—I only came over to say hello."

"Thank you for the thought~"

As she spoke, she took out her wallet, pulled out a ten-thousand-yen bill, and handed it to the owner.

"Sir, I'll pay for these two."

Natsume Chikage froze, then quickly rose and took hold of Kondo Miyuki's hand to stop her.

"Aunt Miyuki, we've actually already paid."

As he spoke, he winked his left eye at the elderly oden vendor, signaling something.

Kondo Miyuki's body gave a slight tremble. Seeing Natsume Chikage holding her wrist, a faint, barely noticeable blush appeared on her face. Clearly, she had not expected him to suddenly do that.

Fujiwara Aoi also caught on at that moment. She hurriedly stood up, looked at the elderly oden vendor, and widened her eyes in an obvious hint.

"Mhm, mhm, mhm—Boss, we've already paid, right?"